The Bloody Tenant Yet more Bloody, Chapter 68
Exam: of Chap. 68. replying to Chap. 71.
Peace.
HEre Mr Cotton urgeth two miſtakes: Firſt in the quoting of Jerome: ſecondly, in naming Tertullian for Jerome.
Truth.
Poſſible it is, they are neither the miſtakes of the Priſoner, nor Diſcuſſer, but either the Scribe or Printers may ſhare with them; or if they were their owne miſtakes (although the Priſoner wrote in cloſe priſon in Newgate, and the Diſcuſſer in multitude of Diſtractions, yet) they are juſtly to be blamed for their leaſt ſleepines in the handling of the matters of the moſt High.
Peace.
But, Jeromes words (ſaith Mr Cotton) imply more then a ſpirituall cutting off; for Jerome immediatly ſubjoyneth theſe words! Arius was but a ſparke, but becauſe he was not ſpeedily ſuppreſt, his Flame depopulated all the World, which cannot be meant (ſayth he) of cutting off by Excommunication, which proceeded againſt him once and twice.
Truth.
I cannot be eaſily induced to believe that Jerome intended to complaine of Conſtantine, who was not ſparing at the firſt to put forth his temporall Arme and power againſt Arrius: But this is certaine, his words are theſe, [Hereſie muſt be cut off with the Sword of the Spirit: and the Scriptures quoted by him (1 Cor. 5. Gal. 5.) as Mr Cotton yeeldeth] prove onelyonly a ſpirituall cutting off: So that it ſeemes not rationall for Jerome to run from the Spirituall Sword, about which he is now converſant, to the carnall and temporall Sword, of which thoſe Scriptures (as Mr Cotton acknowledgeth) diſcourſe not.
Peace.
But let no man ſay (ſayth Mr Cotton) that this grant of his [That Hereſie muſt be cut off by the Sword of the Spirit] doth imply an abſolute ſufficiencie in the Sword of the Spirit, to cut it downe according to 2 Cor. 10. … 5. For though ſpirituall Weapons be abſolutely ſufficient to the End for which God hath appointed them, as hath been opened above, to wit, for the conviction, and (if he belong to God) for the converſion of the offendour, for the mortifying of his fleſh, and for the ſaving of his Soule, and for the cleanſing of the Church from the Fellowſhip of that Guilt: Yet if an Heretick will ſtill continue obſtinate, and perſiſt in ſeducing, creepe into Houſes, leade captive ſillie Soules, and deſtroy the Faith of ſome, it may be of many, ſuch *Mr Cottons and Mr Edwards Gangrenes have little differdGangrenes would be cut off by another Sword, which in the hand of the Magiſtrate is not borne in vaine.
Truth.
This anſwer of Mr Cotton lookes too too like that Diſtinction of the bloudie Biſhop againſt the poore Martyr or Witnes of Jeſus (which Mr Fox mentioneth) The Scripture isBlaſphemie againſt the holy Scripture. ſufficient for Salvation, but not for Inſtruction: There is need of Tradition, &c. The Sword of the Spirit (ſayth Mr Cotton) is abſolutely ſufficient, for theſe foure, to wit, the Conviction, Converſion, Mortification, and Salvation of the offendour, the Heretick, yea, and for a fifth, for Expiation, and cleanſing of the Church from the Fellowſhip of that Guilt, but there is a ſixth, to wit, Infection, and there the Sword of the Spirit is too weake, and the Sword of the Magiſtrate muſt helpe.
Peace.
What ſound and modeſt Reaſon can be (almoſt) pretended, why the holy Ordinances, Appointments and proviſions of the Lord Jeſus (who is the Wiſdome of the Father, whoſe is all power in Heaven and in Earth, and whoſe Heart is all on Fire with Love to his people) ſhould be ſo weake in ſuppreſſing the Enemies of his Kingdome, that, all the Counſell, Order, and Power he hath left in his Abſence, are not able to reſiſt the Infection of falſe Doctrine, without the helpe of the Powers of the World his profeſſed Enemie, unto whom who ſo is a Friend (ſayth John) he cannot but be an Enemie unto God. Oh what ſhould be the myſterie that the two-edged Sword of Gods mighty Spirit, is ſufficient for Conviction, for Converſion, Mortification, Expiation, Salvation, but yet not powerfull enough againſt Infection?
Truth.
There is written evidently, on the Forehead of thisMyſteries of falſe Chriſts. plea, as on the forehead of the great Whore (Revel. 17.) Myſterie. The Aegyptian Onions (as I may ſo ſpeake) are full of Spirituall Infoldings, or Myſteries: One or two I ſhall briefly unfold or peele.
Firſt, the Clergie (ſacrilegiouſly ſo called) in all Ages ſince the Apoſtaſie, have (like ſome proud and daintie Servants) diſdain'dThe true Chriſt deſpiſed for his povertie. to ſerve a poore deſpiſed Chriſt, a Carpenter, one that came at laſt to the Gallowes, &c. And therefore have they ever framed to Themſelves rich and Lordly, pompous and Princely, temporall and Worldly Chriſts, in ſtead of the true Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the ſpirituall King of his Saints and people. And however it ſuits well the common End to retaine the Name of Chriſt (as the Lord Jeſus propheſied many falſe Chriſts, ſhould ariſe, and many ſhould come in his Name, &c.) yet moſt ſure it will be found, that a temporall Crowne and Dignitie, Sword and Authoritie, Wealth and Proſperitie, is the White that moſt of thoſe called Scholars, Miniſters, Biſhops, aime and levell at: How many thouſand of them will readily ſubſcribe to the pleas of the French Biſhops againſt the Lord Peter, diſputing before Philip the French King for temporall Juriſdiction, and Peters two Swords in the hands of Chriſts Miniſters?
Peace.
Mr Cotton is not far off, for howſoever He and ſome will ſay with him, one Sword is enough for a Presbyter or Elder, A baſe eſteeme of the Spirituall Sword.enough for Conviction, Converſion, Mortification, Expiation, and Salvation, yet one Sword is not enough againſt Infection, and therefore it is needfull (though we are not of the opinion of thoſe French Prelates and others, that challenged to themſelves the Sword of temporall juriſdiction into their owne hands, yet) it is needfull that it be at our call in the hands of our Executioners the Civill Magiſtrates.
Truth.
It is impoſſible that temporal and worldly Chriſts ſhould walke with the legs of a ſpirituall ſupportment, but as (in reſpectEarthly Chriſts need earthly ſupports. of outward Government) they ſpring from the Earth and the World, it is impoſſible I ſay but their Feeding and Aliment, Defence and Protection ſhould be of the nature of the Root and Eliment from whence they ariſe.
Peace.
It is objected, was the Church of the Jewes temporall that was aſſiſted and protected with a temporall Sword?
Truth.
The Spirit of God tels us (Heb. 8 & 10.) of a worldly Sanctuary, of a weake and old vaniſhing: Covenant, to wit, a Nationall Covenant, and Ordinances of a Jewiſh Church.
Peace.
It is againe ſaid how can the Diſcuſſer extoll the Sword of the Spirit only, and acknowledge no Churches.
Truth.
Although the Diſcuſſer cannot to his Souls ſatisfaction conclude any of the various and ſeverall ſorts of Churches extant to be thoſe pure golden Candleſticks framed after the firſt patterne, Rev. 1. Yet doth he acknowledge golden Candleſticks ofThe ſtate of Chriſtianity during the reigne of Antichriſt. Chriſt Jeſus extant; thoſe golden Olive trees and candleſticks, his Martyrs or Witneſſes, ſtanding before the Lord, and teſtifying his holy Truth during all the Reign of the Beaſt, Rev. 11. Hence, although we have not ſatisfaction that Luther or Calvin, or other precious Witneſſes of Chriſt Jeſus, erected Churches or Miniſteries, after the firſt patterne (as they conceived they did) yet doth he affirm them to have been Prophets and witneſſes againſt the Beaſt, and furniſhed ſufficiently with ſpirituall Fire in their mouthes, mightily able to conſume or humble their Enemies, as Eliah did with the Captains ſent out againſt him.
Peace.
I will object no more, pleaſe you (Dear Truth) to paſſe on to the 2nd. viz. the Miniſtry of the Spirits pretended inſufficiency againſt Infection: why ſhould not the ſpiritual power of the Lord Jeſus be powerful enough againſt creepers into Houſes, againſt ſuch as lead captive ſilly ſouls, againſt ſuch as deſtroy the faith of ſome, &c. as well as in the firſt Churches and Aſſemblies, profeſſing his holy name and worſhip?
Truth.
Search his Will and Teſtament, and we find no other but ſpiritual means preſcribed and bequeathed by the Lord Jeſus, to Paul to Peter, or any of the holy Apoſtles or Meſſengers.
Peace.
I muſt needs acknowledge that the poor ſervants of Chriſt, for ſome hundereth of years after the departure of theConſtantines peace a greater tryal and danger to Chriſtians, then 300 years perſecution. Lord enjoyed no other power, no other Sword nor Shield but ſpirituall, until it pleaſed the Lord to try his children with Liberty and eaſe under Conſtantine (a ſoarer Tryall then befell them in 300 years perſecution) under which temporall protection, munificence and bounty of Conſtantine, together with his temporall Sword, drawne out againſt her ſpirituall enemies, the Church of Chriſt ſoon ſurfeited of the too much honey of worldly eaſe, authority, profit, pleaſure, &c.
Truth.
Deare Peace, the ſecond miſtery is this. In all ages, the world hath been o'reſpread with the deluſions and abominations of falſe worſhip, invented by Sathan and his Inſtruments inSathans two wayes of quenching the Candle of Chriſtianity. oppoſition to the pure worſhip of the God of Heaven: Againſt theſe the Lord Jeſus hath not been wanting to ſtir up his witneſſes, ſervants and ſouldiers, fighting for their Lord and Maſter ſpiritually, &c.
Theſe witneſſes, when Sathan hath not been able to vanquiſh and overcome them by diſputing, writing, &c. (but hath ever loſt that way) he hath been forced to run to the fleſhly Armories of temporall weapons and puniſhments, and to fetch in the powers of the world; So hoping to daſh out the Candle of Truth and break the candleſticks thereof the witneſſes of Chriſt Jeſus: This Sathan hath ever practiſed one of theſe two wayes, ſometimes by (pretended) legall tryals and executions of Juſtice, ſometimes by moſt horrid and dreadfull murthers and maſſacres
Peace.
Thus hath Chriſt Jeſus indeed been vanquiſhed, and driven out of this world by the powers of Caeſars, Kings and other earthly Governours and Rulers.
Truth.
'Tis a freſh and bleeding Hiſtory of that famous diſputation between the Cardinal and Prelates of France and Beza The French Maſſacre muſt doe what their pretended diſputation could not▪ effect.with his proteſtant aſſiſtants under Charles the 9th. And not long after of that moſt barbarous and horrible murther and maſſacre of about 30000 Innocents, to finiſh and compleat that victory which the pretended Diſputation and ſpirituall arme could never effect.
Peace.
Yea in the bloody Marian dayes, there muſt be Convocations cald at London, and downe muſt theſe famous witneſſes Pretended diſputes in Q. Maries days, ending in fiery flames.of Jeſus, Cranmer, Ridley, Latimer to diſpute at Oxford but faithfull Philpot for his free diſputing in the Convocation at London, and Cranmer, Latimer and Ridley for not yeelding away the truth at Oxford, they muſt all feel the rage of the fiery furnace, who bow not downe to the golden Image.
And (without offence of civill Authority, or diſreſpect againſt any mans perſon be it ſpoken) in the late great diſputes between the Presbyterians and Independents at VVeſtminſter; what a Tempeſt raiſed, what Earthquakes and Thunders cal'd for, from Earth and Heaven, ihat the ſecond ſword of the magiſtrate (herein theThe late Synodicall diſputes. Presbiterians Servant and Executioner) might effect that which all the power of the pretended ſword of Gods Spirit was never able to reach to.
Pea.
To proceed, M Cot. is greatly offended at this word: to wit [the Eye of the Anſwerer could never be ſo obſcured, as to run to the Smiths-ſhop for a ſword of Iron, and ſteel to help the Sword, of the Spirit; if the Sun of Ryghteouſnes had pleaſed to ſhew him that a Nationall Church, &c.] And his anger breaths forth,A bloody and moſt unchriſtian ſpeech. firſt againſt all Hereticks thus: If there be ſtones of the ſtreets, the Magiſtrate need not run for a Sword from the Smiths ſhop, nor an Halter from the Ropiers to puniſh an Heretick.
Truth.
It is true, the warehouſe of perſecution is ſo abundantly filled with all ſorts of bloody Inſtruments, beſides Swords and Ropes, that the Primitive and Latter times have told us how many ſeverall ſorts of ſorrows, pains and torments the ſervants of the living God, have felt by ſeverall Inſtruments of Blood and Death, beſides Ropes and Swords, &c. and all to puniſh (as Maſter Cotton ſayth) the Heretick, the Heretick, Blaſphemer, Seducer &c.
Peace.
What is this Anger but Fury, Ira furor brevis eſt? And what weapons can be wanting to Fury, not the ſtones in the ſtreets (ſaith Maſter Cotton) Furor arma miniſtrat, for the magiſtrate needs not (ſaith he) ſtay ſo long as to run to a Smithsſhop for a ſword, or to the Ropiers for a halter, &c.
Peace.
O the myſteries of iniquitie and cozenage of ſin, that a Lambe of Chriſt ſhould thus roar out like a Lyon, and (at the ſpeech may be conſtrued by ſome) ſo far as in him lies to provoke the civill powers, yea the people in the ſtreets to furious outrage, and not ſo much as to attend proceedings in pretendedThe raſh fury and madneſſe of perſecutors even againſt themſelves. legal Trials and executions, but in the madneſſe of Barbarous murthers and maſſacres, and that even upon himſelfe and the Independants in their meetings, &c.
Peace.
But 2dly. he finds fault with the Diſcuſſers wit, for bringing ſuch light conceits into grave diſcourſes and diſputes about the holy things of God.
Truth.
If there be any thing ſavouring of wit in the Diſcuſſors ſpeech, let all men judge whether there be not a double, yea a treble portion in this of Maſter Cottons; I acknowledge, Non eſt major confuſio quam ſerij & Joci. The Diſcuſſor dares not willingly to prophane the holy name of the moſt high with lightnes, no not with thoſe fine turnings of wit which the word forbids,Pleaſantneſſe of wit ſanctified, glorifies the giver. (foreign, Epheſ. 5.) which becomes not Chriſts ſchollars, but rather the giving of thanks: And yet there is an holy wit and pleaſantnes in Samſons Riddle, in Jothams and Jeſus his Parables, yea, and in Eliah his ſharpe and cutting language, which cut as deep to their deluding conſciences, as the Knives and Lances of their Idolatrous backs and bodies: Yet none of theſe were (as Maſt. Cotton inſinuates againſt the Diſcuſſer) for naming of Smithsſhop) playings with feathers, &c.
Peace.
But what think you of his confidence, touching his New-England Diana, to wit, that the Diſcuſſer will never be able to make it good: that the Church in New-England is implicitly, a Nationall and State Church?
Truth.
His own words ſeem to prove it, for if it be a Church The pretended particul…r Churches of N. E. indeed but a Nationall Church.and not Churches of N. England, as elſewhere he ſpeaks (and as the Scripture ordinarily ſpeaks, the Churches of Judea, Galatia, &c.) it cannot be no other but a Nationall, as the Engliſh-Church, Scotch-Church, French-Church, &c. But poſſibly it being a miſtake, I anſwer, A Nation in the common and large extent, I dare not call New-England, but thus, the ſeverall Plantations or Colonies of one Religion, or way of worſhip make up one Colonie or Province of Engliſh-men in this part or tract of America. I cannot therefore call the Church of New-England (properly) a Nationall Church, but a Provinciall Church, a State-Church; caſt into the mould of a Nationall Church, diſtinct into ſo many Pariſhes, I ſay not expreſly and explicitly, but implicitly and ſecretly, which the ſon of righteouſneſſe will at laſt reveal, as clearly and brightly in the eyes of all men, as the ſun that ſhines at Noon-day.
At preſent, I affirm (what ever are the pretences, pleas and coverings to the contrary) that that Church eſtate, that religion and worſhip wch is commanded or permitted to be but one in a country, nation or province (as was the Jews religion in that typical land of Canan) that Church is not in the nature of the particular Churches of Chriſt, but in the nature of a Nationall or ſtate Church: the nature of a particular Church of Chriſt, is to be one, 2 or 3 (moreNo permiſſion of any Religion or worſhip but one in N. E. therefore are the Churches, but a Nationall Church in the mould them, &c. Where the Supream Authority in a Church is Civill, the Body cannot but be like the head, and all make up but one Civil or Nationall mixt Church, like the Jewiſh Nationall Church. The purging a Countrey of Hereticks declares that Countrey is explicitly or implicitly a National Church. or leſſe) in Townes or Cities (as in all the inſtances of the New-Teſtament, but the nature of the State Church is when the whole State is turn'd into a State Church in ſo many Pariſhes or Diviſions of worſhippers: and it is made odious & intolerable for any part of this City, ſtate, &ce. not to attend the common worſhip of the City, ſanctifie the holy times, and contribute to the holy Officers, and to walke in another way, which is the generall ſtate and practiſe of New-England.
2 That is a nationall and ſtate Church where the Civill power is conſtituted the Head thereof, to ſee to the conforming or reforming of the Church, the truth or falſhood of the Churches, Miniſtries or miniſtrations, ordinances, Doctrine, &c.
In the particular Churches of Chriſt Jeſus, wee finde not a tittle of the power of the civill magiſtrate or civill ſword in ſpirituall caſes. It is impoſſible but a Nationall and Civil head muſt be head of a Nationall or State Church, which (upon the point is but a civill or temporall Church (like the head thereof) and not a heavenly and ſpirituall: I ſay, a Civil or temporall Church, ſubject to the changes of a changeable Court or Countrey, and the interpretings and expoundings of Scripture, to what the Court or Countrey is ſubject to approve ot diſprove of.
3 It is a Nationall or State Church, where the oppoſite or gain-ſayer, the pretended Heretick, Blaſphemer, Seducer, &c. is ſome way or other puniſhed, put forth of the State or Countrey it ſelfe by death or baniſhment: whereas particular Churches put forth no further then from their particular ſocieties, and the Heretick, &c. may ſtill live in the Countrey or Countreys unmoleſted by them.
4 That Church cannot be otherwiſe then a Nationall or State Church, where the maintenance of the Worſhip, Prieſts andA State Maintenance proveth a State Church. Officers, is a State maintenance, provided by the care and power of the State, who (upon the point) payes their Miniſters or Servants their wages; whereas the maintenance of the Worſhip and Officers of a particular Church, we finde by Chriſts Teſtament to be cared for ſufficiently by Chriſts power, and meanes in his Church.
5 That Church is a Nationall or State Church, whoſe wholeSynods aſſembled by Civill Power, prove the Churches of the ſame Nature with the Head that acts and calls them. Aſſemblies, in Synods, Councells, Provinciall, Nationall, &c. If Mr Cotton can diſprove the truth and ſubſtance of theſe and other particulars alledged, ſo farre as concernes the generall and Body of the Countrey combined (whatſoever little variation ſome particular Townes may make) the Diſcuſſer muſt acknowledge his Errour, but if Mr Cotton cannot doe it, as I believe he cannot (what ever flouriſh a wit may pretend) the God of mercy pardon what by Mr Cotton is done in Ignorance, and awaken him and others, who cauſe his people to goe aſtray; according to that of the Prophet; Their Shepheards cauſe this people to goe aſtray.
Peace.
O that all Gods ſheepe in New England, and ſuch as judge themſelves their Shepheards, may truely judge themſelves at the tribunall of their owne Conſciences in the preſence of the Lord, in the upright Examination of theſe particulars: But to leave New England, and to returne to the Land of Iſrael: I ſhould thinke (ſayth Mr Cotton) not onelyonly mine eye obſcured, but the ſight of it utterly put out, if I ſhould conceive (as the Diſcuſſer doth) that the Nationall Church State of the Jewes did neceſſarily call for ſuch weapons to puniſh Heretiques more then the Congregationall State of particular Churches doth call for the ſame now in the dayes of the New Teſtament.
Truth.
It is a ſtrange Speech to proceede from ſo knowing a Man, but let us ponder his Reaſons in the feare of God.
Peace.
Was not (ſayth Mr Cotton) the Nationall Church of the Jewes compleatly furniſhed with Spirituall Armour to defend it ſelfe, and oppoſe Men and Devills, as well as particular Churches of the New Teſtament? Had they not power to convince falſe Prophets, as Elijah did the Prophets of Baal? had they not power to ſeperate Evill Doers from the Fellowſhip of their Congregations? And he addeth, an uncleane Perſon, although he might not Enter into the Temple, with the reſt of the Iſraelites to worſhip the Lord, yet he was permitted to live in the Common-weale of Iſrael, Men uncircumciſed both in Heart and Fleſh.
He addeth further, that the Nationall Church of Iſrael wasTouching the difference between the Church of the Jewes and the Chriſtian Churches. powerfully able by the Sword of the Spirit to defend it ſelfe, and to offend Men and Devills, for which he quoteth, Zach. 4. 6. And he asketh, doth not the Diſcuſſer himſelfe obſerve that time was, in the Nationall Church of the Land of Canaan, when there was neither Carnall Sword nor Speare to be found, 1 Sam. 13? And was not then the Nationall Church powerfully able by the Spirit of God to defend it ſelfe, and to offend Men and Devills as well as particular Churches now?
Truth.
I anſwer: Firſt, As much as the ſhadow of a Man falls ſhort of a Man himſelfe, ſo did all their Ordinances (which were but ſhadowes of ſpirituall things to come) fall ſhort of that bright enjoyment of Chriſt Jeſus, and ſpirituall and heavenly things in him, now brought to Light by Chriſt Jeſus in the Goſpel or New Teſtament.
2. Mr Cotton will never demonſtrate that the putting forth, or Excommunicating of a perſon from the Church of God amongſt them, was other then cutting off from the Land by Death, and the Civill Sword, the ſame being ſpiritually executed now in the Iſrael of God, 1 Cor. 5. Gal. 5. 12.
Thirdly, Although the Stranger uncircumciſed might liveThe holy Land of Canaan a Noneſuch. amongſt them, yet none of the Native Iſraelites might ſo live, nor yet might the Stranger prophane the holineſſe of the Lord by labour on the Sabbath, which Mr Cotton will never prove oughtA Figure of the Chr…ſtian. now to be kept by all Countries of the world, and that under ſuch Penalties, as was in the Land of Canaan, the holy Land: Nor that they had ſpirituall power ſufficient to puniſh the willfull breach of any Morall or Ceremoniall dutie, without the helpe of the Carnall Sword, the contrary to which is plaine in the New Teſtament, 1 Cor. 5. 2 Cor. 10.
Fourthly, For the Scripture, Zach. 4. 6. Not by might nor Power, &c. The Prophet doth not here oppoſe the Spirit to might or power, ſo as to deny the uſe of Carnall weapons, might or power, which God had vouchſafed to them againſt all Enemies within and without, but ſheweth it to be the work ofThe weapons of the Jewes and Chriſtians compared. Gods own finger or Spirit in the uſe of carnall meanes which they uſed for the raiſing of the Materiall Temple and Civill defence of Themſelves againſt all Oppoſers, Hinderers, &c. Whereas 2 Cor. 10. the Apoſtle flatly oppoſeth Spirituall Weapons againſt Carnall, and Mr Cotton will never prove that the Corinthians or any of the Saints of Chriſt, did enjoy other Weapons, in that firſt or the Ages next after, but onelyonly the Spirituall Weapons and Artillery which the Apoſtle mentioneth.
Laſtly, To that of 1 Sam. 13. I anſwer, That when there was no Speare nor Sword in Iſraell, the Iſraelites were notNo Speare nor Sword in Iſrael. powerfully able to defend Themſelves againſt their Enemies, except that God was pleaſed extraordinarily to ſtirre up meanes of their preſervation, as wee ſee in the caſe of Jonathan and his Armour-bearer againſt the Philiſtims. In like manner I believe that where the ordinary power of Gods hand in his holy Ordinances is withdrawen, it is his extraordinarie and immediate power that preſerveth and ſupporteth his people againſt Men and Devills; as in particular, during the reigne of Antichriſt in ſtirring up and ſupporting the two Witneſſes.